Part 6 — What can we do in a practical way to relate to this time of the year?
There are four things we can do:
1. This time of the year gives us an opportunity - to speak of the Messiah.
It is during this time of the year that people are usually more open to hear the gospel. We are to make the most of every opportunity. We can tell people why the Messiah was born, why he died and why he rose from the dead. We should be challenging people
to respond to the gospel to receive the greatest gift of all, the gift of salvation that we experience in the Messiah. This time of the year can be a wonderful opportunity to share our faith…
2. A time to strengthen family relationships.
Even though you don't have to participate in all the festivities associated with Christmas, you can still use it as an opportunity to reach out to others and minister to your family to keep relationships healthy. We don't want to damage our witness
to our family by condemning and judging them because they might not believe the same way you do.
3. We are bridge builders, ambassadors of the Messianic Vision.
As we have opportunity, seek to share your view of Christmas from a messianic and Biblical perspective. Remember to do it in love! I have been able to share this truth with many believers and Pastors and as a result many have incorporated these truths
into their own lives and congregations
4. It is a good time to meet the needs of the poor.
Reach out as you become aware of needs and let our light shine before all men. Become involved in ministering to the poor and the needy by volunteering your time to Christian agencies or other Churches.
God has called us to walk in love. Let us make every effort to do what leads to peace and mutual up-building of the body. Let us be careful to not destroy the work of God, in this case (our Messianic Vision) for the sake of tradition. We are called
to rebuild and raise up the ancient foundations of our faith…
"Remember, if the roots be Holy so are the branches!"
There is a famous Jewish prayer called the "Alenu" that is prayed every Shabbat in Synagogues throughout the world, that expresses the longing for God's people to be set free from the paganistic influence of the world;
"We hope therefore, Lord our God, soon to behold thy majestic glory, when the abominations shall be removed from the earth, and the false gods exterminated, when the world shall be perfected under the reign of the Almighty and all mankind will call upon thy name and all the wicked of the earth will be turned to thee. May all the inhabitants of the world realize and know that to thee every knee must bend, every tongue must vow allegiance. Reign over us soon and forever. May the Kingdom of David's greater son be established forever. For then shall the words be fulfilled, The Lord shall be King forever, and the Lord shall be King over all the earth, on that day the Lord shall be one, and His name one."
written and / or assembled by Cal Goldberg, Messianic Leader, Beth Shechinah
© 2001, Beth Shechinah, except where copyright otherwise indicated. For permissions to use material from this site, email Messianic Leader,
Cal
Goldberg.
